<p>I'm looking to go into (most likely) EE, CE, CS-- in that category, or possibly CEE. I've been accepted to those three schools as well as some others (Berkeley and Caltech are the two other serious contenders).</p>
<p>So far, people have told me that MIT is the best way to go, and I see why-- but I'm afraid that I would be giving up a much more well-rounded education at Princeton-- and that if I were to go to Princeton, I'd be giving up a better engineering program at Cornell (which I don't like because of the location, mostly). </p>
<p>Advice? Which would you choose for those programs?</p>
<p>Go to MIT and don’t look back. You will come in contact with prestigious researchers working on cutting edge science/technology. You say you want a well rounded education? Universities do not give you that but simply facilitate it; you give yourself a well rounded education. Also, going to MIT now does not prevent you from attending Princeton later, if you decide to attend graduate school.</p>
<p>Take advantage of the Boston area, Harvard next door, Canada a few hours away to the north, and the NYC area a few hours away to the south. </p>
<p>Don’t obsess over garbage you have little to no control. Life is full of trade-offs and regardless of where you go, you will be missing out on something just by virtue of your decision. So, relax and enjoy your time at MIT (because you know you already made that decision and only want our reassurance ;)</p>
<p>@Enginox: Well, that’s just the thing; I haven’t decided at all yet. MIT is excellent in terms of the fact that I want to study engineering, but I also would like a significant humanities program in my life-- one that isn’t tailored for scientists and engineers; I hear MIT’s is at least somewhat like that. It’s not so much that I’m afraid I’ll come out of college and not be well-rounded; it’s more that I want a well-rounded education for myself.</p>
<p>Of course, as a disclaimer, I have yet to visit these campuses (except Berkeley) and I’m sure that will change some things.</p>
<p>In essence, I understand what would in theory be good for me in terms of science/math education, networking and peers, and even just name, but I don’t want to rush into a decision that I may later regret just because I didn’t take time to think through my other options.</p>
<p>As a Princeton alumni, I can say that I think Princeton offers an extraordinary undergraduate experience, with incredibly strong departments in many many areas, ranging from math to creative writing to classics–it offers the quintessential well-rounded education. The engineering program is very strong, although obviously not the equal of MIT. </p>
<p>I have known several students who were accepted at both MIT and Princeton and in every case, the visit clarified things for them. The schools have different locations and different feels and hopefully, when you visit, your choice will become much clearer.</p>
<p>The realities of any of the engineering curricula you will ultimately choose will likely leave only time to dabble in the humanities. Engineering undergrad and “well rounded education” honestly just don’t go hand in hand. Dabble, yes. Well rounded, no.</p>
<p>MIT has great strengths in multiple humanities and social science fields. Research, internship, post grad opportunities are unmatched in your areas of interest. You won’t come close to matching that strength in engineering at Princeton.</p>